10TH REGIONAL SEMINAR OF ACP EU ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INTEREST GROUPS GABORONE BOTSWANA 28 30 June 200

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10TH REGIONAL SEMINAR OF ACP EU ECONOMIC AND
SOCIAL INTEREST GROUPSGABORONE BOTSWANA 28 -30
June 2009

• What role for non state actors in the
  negotiations and implementation of the EPAs
• J. Hoffmann Agricultural Trade Forum, Namibia
• Member of the SADC Civil Society Programme.

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Why Participation?

• The Namibian Agricultural Union has ben invited
  to this seminar.
• The Agricultural Trade Forum is mandated by the
  NAU/NNFU to represent these agricultural umbrella
  bodies in all issues related to trade.
• Thus the ATF was asked to represent the
  agricultural value chain at this importnat event.

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THE AGRICULTURAL TRADE FORUM OF NAMIBIA

• AGRICULTURE Focussed on agricultura isues only
• TRADE representing the agricultural value chain
  of Namibia in all regional and international
  trade negotiations of Namibia in the SACU and as
  part of the SACU trade machine in the SADC,
  Mercosur, Efta, Tidca and India trade
  negotiations.
• Also in SADC EPA EC negotiations.

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THE AGRICULTURAL TRADE FORUM OF NAMIBIA II

• Forum Representation of the whole agricultural
  value chain from producer Unions, the marketing
  boards, the processing and import and export
  industry.
• FINANCING By the private sector only, no
  Government or NGO or EC funding is used for the
  functions of the ATF. However, outside funding is
  sourced from different donors for consultancies
  that are relevant for the negotiation process.

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HOW DO WE WORK?

• Close cooperation with the relevant Namibian
  Ministries Finance, Trade and Industry and
  Agriculture. Member of the official Namibian
  negotiation team.
• Even closer cooperation with Namibian
  agricultural stake holders.
• Regular workshops with all stakeholders on the
  different negotiation processes.

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How do we work II

• Bi monthly meetings to report back on the
  different trade issues open to all members and to
  civic society.
• Representatives of the Government are invited and
  participate.
• Quarterly Public Dialogue seminars on trade (
  not only agriculture) topics. Attendance up to 80
  participants Diplomats, Government officials,
  the business sector, civic society, media TV,
  the press and press agencies.

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How do we work III

• Information is very important. Especially through
  the National Farmers Union , representing about
  200 000 small scale farmers all over Namibia.
• Employing and training officials from the NNFU to
  visit all small scale farmers organisations.
• Giving regular presentations to the umbrella
  bodies of the NAU, and the marketing Boards

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How do we work IV

• Regular contact with the Delegation sometimes
  invited to the EU Ambassadors meeting to make a
  presentation on agricultural trade issues.
• Staff 2 Trade advisors and one back stopper.
• Important Highly trained experts with good
  networking skills.
• Stakeholders are prepared to finance the ATF
  budget gt 1,2 mill N.

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The Namibia Trade Forum

• Government driven ( and financed) umbrella body
  for the whole Namibian private sector and civic
  society ATF a founder member and one of the 6
  directors of the NTF.
• Challenges to the NTF and the ATF To harmonise
  the different objectives not only in the
  agricultural sector but in the whole private
  sector of the Namibian private sector.

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Closing Remarks

• The initiative for creating an ATF came from the
  private sector.
• By really being of use to its stakeholders, the
  ATF will be financed even in the economic crisis
  in a three year revolving budget.
• Thank you for your attention.
• The ATF Team.

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The EPA and agricultural trade

• What are the key issues
• DFQF market access for virtually all agricultural
  products with initialing ( signing of the IEPA.
• What are the problems
• SPS and Eurogap issues. ( Globalgap)
• Residues
• Rules of Origin

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The SADC - IEPA

• Agricultural import issues of the EU are not
  insurmountable.
• But other provisions in the SADC IEPA made it
  difficult for Namibia to initial only with
  reservations.
• The Namibia specific issues are the following
• No NTBs inside the SACU or SADC EPA
• No new export taxes ( definition of export taxes)
  

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The SADC IEPA II

• Very stringent IIP provisions
• No measures regarding food security are allowed
• Very stringent dispute settlement provisions.
• These were resolved at the last negotiation round
  between SADC EPA and the EU Commission
  Swakopmund March 2009.
• But can only be implemented in a full EPA.

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The SADC IEPA III

• Not resolved
• Definition of parties
• The MFN clause ( although softened in Swakopmund,
  no agreement).
• The IEPA was signed by BLS and M will sign end of
  June. Namibia did not sign, clearly indicating
  that the out standing issues be resolved.

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Stand of Play SADC IEPA

• DFQF market access for BLS and M is guaranteed by
  signature of IEPA.
• Market access is regulated for South Africa
  through a separate FTA the TDCA.
• Angola as an LDC can trade under the EBA
  provisions.
• Namibia is dependent on the goodwill declaration
  by the EC that it will not be removed from Annex
  1 !

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Summary

• Agriculture is at the heart of all Trade
  negotiations.
• The danger for EU producers through exports from
  ACP member states is minimal.
• However for many ACP member states especially
  for SADC EPA member states export to EU markets
  is highly important forward and backward
  linkages and developmental aspects.

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Thank you

• Although this overview may be specific to SADC
  EPA, the principles are applicable to all ACP
  member states.
• The Agricultural Trade Forum of Namibia